Collar

Abstract

A collar sized to fit over a fuel pump tower at the outer end of the tower. The collar has an opening sized to accomodate a conduit integrally formed with the tower thus for the collar to fit about the conduit. The collar is attachable to the tower to reinforce the tower so the tower does not tear when the tower or conduit is subjected to abnormal forces during a crash.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a fuel pump for use in an automotive fuel system, the fuel pump including a body having a fuel intake cavity and a fuel discharge cavity, one of the respective cavities being defined by a tower formed in the body and the tower having a fuel conduit formed integrally with the tower at the outer end thereof, the conduit projecting outwardly from the tower and the tower being subject to tearing when the conduit is subjected to abnormal forces such as occur during a crash, the improvement comprising a metal collar sized to fit over the tower at its outer end, the collar having an opening therein sized to accommodate the conduit whereby the collar is fitted about the conduit and the collar being attachable to the tower to reinforce the tower whereby the tower does not tear when the conduit is subjected to abnormal forces. 
     
     
       2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tower is rounded and the collar is a circular band of material whose inner diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tower. 
     
     
       3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the opening in the collar forms a slot.